NFC Championship Game: Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints

Seven Win Totals to Consider Betting on for the 2018 NFL Season

If you’re looking to cash in on some long-term NFL futures odds wagers on each team’s win total odds and you’re looking for some expert assistance in identifying which teams are offering good value against their respective win total figure, then look no more.

I’ve got all the bases covered thanks to my expert analysis on seven-win total wagers you need to consider before the 2018 NFL regular season gets underway in approximately three weeks.

Arizona Cardinals 5.5

With, both, head coach Bruce Arians and quarterback Carson Palmer, retiring after last season’s 8-8 finish, the Cardinals are set to begin a new era in the desert, but right now, I’m thinking they’re going to be ahead of the curve. First and foremost, I love Arizona’s hiring of former Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. I think his presence and defensive schemes, combined with the fact that Arizona has plenty of talent, will help the Cardinals be a very good team on that side of the ball almost immediately. When it comes to offense, I think Arizona may have gotten the steal of the draft with quarterback Josh Rosen, the one signal-caller in this draft that was deemed the most NFL ready. If veteran Sam Bradford can play some consistent football (he will) and superstar running back David Johnson returns to his former play-making self. I’m going to say 6 wins is now a lock!

Pick:Over 6 Wins

Cleveland Browns 5.5

The Browns may have gone a winless 0-16 a year ago, but they also made a series of really smart offseason moves from acquiring Tyrod Taylor to drafting quarterback Baker Mayfield and cornerback Denzel Ward with the first and fourth overall picks in the NFL Draft. Lest anyone forget, the Browns also had three picks in the 2017 draft, including the top pick in athletically gifted defensive end Myles Garrett, safety Jabrill Peppers and tight end David Njoku. Oh, did I forget to mention that the Browns will have wide receiver Josh Gordon on the field for the entire season and that they also added another elite wide receiver in former Dolphins Pro Bowler, Jarvis Landry? Right now, I’m feeling like six wins is a lock!

Pick:Over 5.5 Wins

Baltimore Ravens 8

Baltimore went 9-7 last season and I’m thinking another nine win campaign is definitely in order for the ravens in 2018. First and foremost, Baltimore still have a very good, top 5 defense. That alone, means they’ll be in more than their fair share of games this coming season. I also like the fact that often uninspiring quarterback Joe Flacco has someone to push him now with veteran RG3 looking really good in the preseason while rookie Lamar Jackson learns the nuances of the NFL. Baltimore addressed their receiving issues by bringing in veterans Michael Crabtree, John Brown and Willie Snead to go along with rookie tight ends Hayden Hurst and Mark Andrews. I’m feeling like 9 wins is as close to a lock.

Pick:Over 8.5 Wins

Cincinnati Bengals 6.5

The Bengals went 7-9 last season but I loved the way they closed out their 2017 campaign by winning their huge finale against Baltimore to Baltimore to deny the Ravens a spot in the playoffs, while going 3-2 over their last five with a great chance at winning all five down the stretch run. Cincinnati still has plenty of top-notch talent with guys like wide receiver A.J. Green, Pro Bowl tight end Tyler Eifert, the unpredictable, but talented linebacker Vontaze Burfict, and second year contributors Joe Mixon and John Ross. I love the fact that the organization brought back longtime head coach Marvin Lewis and I’m expecting Cincy to be one of the most improved teams in the league in 2018.

Pick:Over 6.5 Wins

Jacksonville Jaguars 9

The Jaguars reached the 10-win plateau in 2017 and I believe a double-digit winning campaign in 2018 is a virtual lock for a couple of good reasons. Not only does Jacksonville have an elite defense that finished second in points allowed, but they also have an offense that ranked in the top five in scoring. Jacksonville plays a smart brand of football that relies on the power rushing of Leonard Fournette and a defense that will give them good field position. There’s a ton of young and hungry talent in Jacksonville and they’re ready to show the world what they can do. 10 wins is a lock people!

Pick:Over 9 Wins

Miami Dolphins 6.5

Miami might have quarterback Ryan Tannehill back under center after he missed the entire 2017 campaign with a torn ACL, but it might as well be the mediocre Jay Cutler if you ask me. Miami is inexperienced at the skill positions after foolishly parting ways with running back Jay Ajayi and wide receiver Jarvis Landry following Pro Bowl campaigns in 2016. The Dolphins also don’t have a ton of young talent nor do they possess a good defense that could potentially help out a mediocre offense. I’m expecting 2018 to be Tannehill’s last as the starting quarterback in Miami and for the Fins to have an awful 2018 season.

Pick:Under 6.5 Wins

New Orleans Saints 9.5

The Saints went 11-5 last in a loaded NFC South division that produced three double-digit winners. More importantly, New Orleans looks poised to compete for the NFC Championship for the foreseeable future because of their big leap forward defensively, which was aided first and foremost by the stupendous contributions of Pro Bowl rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore and to a slightly lesser degree, gifted safety Marcus Williams. The Saints have always been able to put points on the board behind future Hall of fame quarterback Drew Brees, but with a defense that was very good last season and could be better in 2018, I’m thinking 10 wins at the very minimum is a lock.